Amusement device



Aug. 13, 1935. J KRASE 2,011,058

AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Nov. 3, 1933 of the structure.

Patented Aug. 13, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICES-1 This invention relates to anamusement device and particularly to a device of the class which may be readily put together and taken apart. I a

One embodiment of my device is exemplified by a jig-saw puzzle of the conventional type, wherein a plurality of heterogeneous pieces are intended to be fitted together to form a complete design. In assembling such a device it is often a source of some annoyance to the person working with the same to have the assembled pieces subjected to jars or shocks whereby the assembly is disarranged, and it thereby becomes necessary to repeat the work. In. order to overcome this difficulty with the present type of puzzle, I propose to provide the contacting edges of the individual pieces of the puzzle with means to adhere edgewise, one to another, as they are fitted together. Such adherence is caused to take place by the exertion of a small amount of pressure as the-pieces of the puzzle are fitted together.

One form of adhering means which I may employ will consist of a pressure-sensitive, or pressure aggressive, adhesive which may be applied to the contacting surfaces of the individual pieces Another means which may be employed for developing adherence of the individual pieces may involve the utilization of composite sheet material composed of sheets of relatively coarse and relatively fine fibrous material, the coarse material providing rather long protruding fibres which will have the property of holding adjoining pieces together.

My present invention should not be confused with the type of jig-saw puzzle known as the interlocking type. Such a puzzle is composed of individual pieces whichinterlock or dove-tail one with another, the shapes of the individual pieces or elements thereof being somewhat dictated by the structural requirements of such an interlocking configuration. They are locked, furthermore, in one plane only. My device, on the other hand, permits the individual pieces to be locked more or less permanently and firmly into one composite whole without possibility of free movement in any direction. Such per manent adherence is obtained without restrictions on the configuration of the individual pieces or assembled structure.

My present invention should, furthermore, not be confused with the type of puzzle in which the assembly is made on a tray, the surface of which is adapted to be softened by heat and the entire structure then permanently retained in assembled form. My device, on the otheghand, is capable of being put together and taken apart any number of times and, in addition, has the property of possessing considerable mechanical strength, relatively speaking. I accomplish this result by providing a pressure-sensitive or aggressive adhesive on the edge surfaces of the individual pieces of the completed structure. Further specific details of this part of my invention will be reserved until I have explained another important feature.

A second embodiment of my invention is exemplified by three-dimensional structures which may be constructed from individual pieces provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Such individual pieces will be more or less regular in shape, and are preferably provided with lithographed or printed figures on one or more sides. For amusement or instructional purposes, such pieces may be provided with lithographed or printed designs, representing various structural objects or parts of such objects. By providing a number of such blocks or pieces, various structures may be assembled and, furthermore, considerable latitude in improvising many new and interesting assemblages is possible.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which,-

Figure 1 illustrates the application of my invention to a jig-saw puzzle. Figure 2 shows one of the elements of such a puzzle. Figure 3 shows an application of my invention to a device in which sheets of varying thickness are employed. Figure 4 illustrates two parts of a toy dwelling house embodying my invention. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the use of bevelled edges in theapplication of my device.

In the accompanying drawing I show various features of my invention and how the same may be produced and used. Referring to Figure 1 of the drawing, I have thereon represented a conventional jig-saw puzzle which is formed of a plurality of sheets of cellulosic material such as wood or paper board. In the said figure three such sheets are shown, superimposed one upon the other. In the construction shown, sheet 2 has been impregnated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, before sheets I and 3 are permanently consolidated therewith. Such consolidation will involve the application of pressure, and may involve the application of suflicient heat to soften the adhesive material while pressure is applied 'thereto; Surface 4 of sheet I will have a'picture many individual irregular pieces, one of which is shown in Figure 2.

For many structures of the present type, the thickness of the material comprising the superimposed layers numbered i, 2 and 3 may be equal, as in Figures 1 and 2. In other types of this structure it may be desirable to have the material of unequal thickness. Such a structure is shown in Figure 3, which represents a section through a punched puzzle. This structure has been punched from surface 4 downwardly to surface I at the point 6, and thus has separated the cut edges of surface 4 a greater amount than at surface 5. By placing the adhesive layer 2 closer to surface 5 than to surface 4, I obtain greater adhesion and, hence, greater rigidity of the assembled structure.

In Figure 4 I show another variation of my invention as applied to three-dimensional structures. In this case I provide base board 6 carrying a pressure-aggressive adhesive edge at 1, l and 9. A second part, l2, similarly provided with pressure-aggressive edges such as M and II, is shown about to be afllxed to base 6. Other parts, not shown, may be provided to complete the toy dwelling house indicated. The parts thereof are,

. of course, to be suitably shaped and lithographed or printed to simulate various structures or parts of structures.

when employing my laminated sheet material for three-dimensional structures, as shown in Figure 5, in edgewise view, I prefer to bevel parts l3 and I4, as shown, thus bringing lamination 2 and 2' containing the pressure sensitive adhesive into contact. When using such bevelled pieces for two-dimensional structures, they may be arranged as shown in Figure 6. Other variations of this principle may, of course, be readily devised.

By "pressure-sensitive adhesive I mean to include a coating or impregnant which is normally adhesive or aggressive by pressure, and which possesses adhesive properties without the necessity of developing same by the use of liquid water or other solvent. In some cases I may, however, make use of atmospheric moisture in developing adhesiveness. For example, I may employ a water-soluble adhesive such as animal glue, together with a hygroscopic agent such as glycerine. Other suitable adhesive materials are Irish moss, gum tragacanth, or the like. I may use various proportions of these adhesive materials together with a suitable hygroscopic ingredient. A suitable proportion may consist cf Irish moss parts by weight, gelatine glue 8 parts, water 125 parts, and glycerine 60 parts. Other adhesives may also be used, if desired.

Such an adhesive may be employed by impregnating a sheet of paper or wood and then pressing it between two other sheets of paper or wood. The composite sheet may be heated while under pressure, in order to dry the glue joint. While so dried, it will be advantageous to saw or punch out the individual pieces, since such operations can more advantageously be carried out with the dried sheet. After such fabricating operations are completed, the pieces are exposed to the atmosphere, whereupon the exposed adhesive surfaces regain their tacky property.

If desired, a water-insoluble or gum-type adhesive may be employed. -Such may consist of a mixture of gums and softening agents. Gums.

suitable for my purpose are rosin, damar or ester gum. These, combined with gum softeners such as mineral oil in the proportion to form an adhesive compound normally tacky at the temperature of use, will be satisfactory.

The adhesives to be employed may also be applied by brush coating, dipping, printing or otherwise. Various other methods of application will occur to those skilled in the art.

My device is characterized by ease of assembly, by rigidity after assembly, and by simplicity in disassembly. The separate building elements used in assembling my device are so-constructed that the adhesive surfaces may be of minimum extent and may be so arranged that they are not read- 7 ily touched when handling the pieces. The adhesive surfaces are moreover, not sufllcientlytacky to prove objectionable to the touch.

In construing my invention, I contemplate that the term amusement device will be used to include the usual type of put-together and takapart devices suitable for amusement, instructional or tests-of-skill uses. By separate building elements or pieces, I contemplate the separate elements or units carrying one or more surfaces a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Such elements may also carry printed or lithographed designs, or parts of designs, as already described.

The pressure-sensitive adhesive which I employ is capable of exerting adhesion to the usual type of smooth surface such as is exhibited by printed, lithographed or lacquered surfaces. It is, how-, ever, capable of exerting a greater degree of adhesion to a like adhesive surface and, hence, it will be desirable, where structures requiring greater permanence or strength are being constructed, to provide contacting surfaces carrying such adhesive.

What I claim is:

1. A laminated cellulosic sheet product capable of being cut into elements, comprising a. sheet of cellulosic material impregnated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, said impregnated sheet being interposed between sheets of unimpregnated cellulosic material.

2. A laminated cellulosic sheet product capable of being cut into elements, comprising a sheet of cellulosic material impregnated with a pressuresensitive adhesive, said impregnated sheet being interposed and consolidated between sheets of. inimpregnated cellulosic material, said sheet product when out exposing sections of said adhesive impregnated sheet.

3. A laminated cellulosic board material possessing rigidity and being capable of being cut v into elements capable of reassembly by contact, comprising a. sheet of cellulosic material impregnated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and interposed between sheets of unimpregnated cellulosic material, said board material when out exposing sections of said adhesive impregnated sheet.

4. An amusement device comprising a plurality of separate building elements formed of a laminated cellulosic board material, said board material comprising a sheet of cellulosic material imimpregnated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive and interposed between sheets of unimpregnated cellulosic material.

5. An amusement device consisting of a plurality of separate building elements formed of a laminated eellulosic board material, said board material consisting of a board of cellulosic material impregnated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive pressed between sheets of. cellulosic material unimpregnated with a pressure sensitive adhesive material.

6. An amusement device composed of a plurality of individual building elements, said elements being composed of a plurality of laminations, at least one of said laminations being imadapted to hold adjoining laminations together and also. adapted to hold said individual elements together.

"I An amusement device composed of a plura'iity 01 individual building elements, said elenients consisting oi a laminated structure composed of a celluiosic board material impregnated with a. pressure-sensitive adhesive pressed between two sheets 01' cellulosic materialunimpregnated with said adhesive, said pressure-sensitive impregnated material being adapted to hold both said laminatlons and said elements together.

8. A jig-saw puzzle comprising pieces cut from a laminated cellulosic sheet material, and capable of assembly and disassembly, said laminated sheet material being composed of a cellulosic board material impregnated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive pressed between two sheets of cellulosic material unimpregnated with said adhesive, said pressure-sensitive adhesive forming a permanent bond between said laminated sheets and an impermanent bond between said pieces. HERBERT J. KRASE.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,011,058. v August l3, l9 35.

HERBERT J. KRASE.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2; second column,

line 47, claim 2, for the syllable "in-"' read un-; and line 62, claim 4, strike out the syllable "im-"; and that the said Letters Patent. should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of November. A. D. 1935.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

